Jamshedpur: Over 2k children infected since Covid spread

A total of 2,114 children below 14 years of age have been infected with coronavirus in Jamshedpur (East Singhbhum) since its outbreak last year, while only one has died during the period, according to an analysis of the district health bulletin. This is significant as Jharkhand was preparing for the probable third wave of Covid-19, that was likely to affect those below 14 years the most.

As per official statistics of Jamshedpur, the state's second worst hit district by the pandemic after capital city Ranchi, of the total children infected, 1,180 were male and the rest female. Tata Steel medical advisor Dr Rajan Chaudhry on Saturday said 110 infected children below the age of 14 years were treated at Tata Main Hospital (TMH) till date, of which only one child died due to comorbidities. “Covid-19 is feared to affect children most in its third wave because there’s no vaccine for them as yet,” said Dr Chaudhry.

According to officials, there are about 4 lakh children below 14 years of age in East Singhbhum. As per an Indian Academy of Paediatricians (IAP) estimate, Jamshedpur presently has 70 child specialists, 195 normal beds and 19 ventilators. This translates into one normal bed for every 2,052 children, one doctor per 5,715 children and one ventilator per 21,053 children.

IAP-Jamshedpur president Dr Mintu Akhouri Sinha said the resource gap was so huge that it’s not possible to reduce it in the near future. “The best option is optimum use of available resources and minimise requirement of hospitalisation and ICU beds. Early detection of cases through Rapid Antigen Test, as RT-PCR results take longer, and immediate treatment, preferably in home isolation,” Dr Akhouri said.

He said IAP has submitted a detailed road map paper to prepare for the probable third wave to the district health department. “We have advised to set up isolation centres at community buildings and schools for infected children with their mothers in every village, training of ANMs, sahiyas and sevikas so that they provide preliminary treatment in villages,” said Dr Akhouri.

The district administration has already set up a 50-bed ICU at Jamshedpur Sadar Hospital, while all block hospitals were asked to set up 30-bed ICUs, said civil surgeon Dr AK Lal . “A 59-bed ICU for children will be functional at MGMMCH within next few days. TMH and other big private hospitals have been asked to set up separate children wards,” he said. Besides, process was on to identify suitable space for a new PICU and NICU in the district as per state government’s directions, Dr Lal said.